Glendon suggests that topics like motherhood and marriage are not given enough time in feminist conversations. She adds that the whole woman is not educated, and women’s health focuses almost entirely on reproductive systems, yet, the information is incomplete– pregnancy and childbirth are ignored, while issues such as birth control are given disproportionate attention.

Glendon discusses Elizabeth Fox-Genovese’s book “Feminism is not the Story of My Life:How Today’s Feminist Elite Has Lost Touch with the Real Concerns of Women.” Fox-Genovese claims that modern day feminism has become a cloak for other issues–such as population control, abortion, etc. She suggests that what is needed is a more responsive type of feminism, which focuses less on the feminist elite, and more on what most women actually want.

This article discusses how modern-day feminism is detrimental to women, as it has taken a careerist approach. Heller suggests that the way to empower women is not by degrading a woman’s role as a mother, but rather by understanding that the maternal role can coexist with an intellectual role.

Bordlee writes that men have consistently failed to understand what women want, which is why women are left feeling unfulfilled by radical feminism. Instead, she believes that Pope John Paul II understood that women simply want to love and be loved, and not to be used as instruments.

Fox-Genovese argues that there are parts of Catholicism which coincide with certain elements of the feminist movement. However she continues to reject more radical streams of feminism that do not accord women proper dignity. A well written article, though a bit long.

The article highlights the rise of a new type of feminism within the Catholic Church that centers around an equal call to holiness. The Church has often been accused of not treating women equally, however Glendon quotes Flannery O’Connor, who said that the Church “has done more than any other force in history to free women.” While men and women may be called to different roles–only men are called to priesthood, for instance–the call to holiness is universal.

This is another brilliant example of John Paul II’s work. This encyclical (letter to the Catholic Church), discussing “the dignity and vocation of women,” highlights the importance of treating women with respect and dignity in a variety of forms, and examines the treatment of women in Scripture, which clearly shows their worth in the eyes of God and the Church.